This article was published in the November 2024 issue of Pet Food Processing. Read it and other articles from this issue in our November digital edition.
With more than 1 billion pets globally, and that number growing, ingredient supply chains are challenged. Factor in hurricanes, port strikes and food safety recalls, it’s time to explore alternative ingredients to many of those commonly used in pet foods and treats.
“As resources become more scarce and sustainability concerns increase, formulators are looking to new and different ingredients to incorporate into pet products to satisfy nutritional needs while making less of an impact on resources,” said Anne Carlson, chief executive officer, Jiminy’s, Berkeley, Calif. “Examples include using insects as an alternative to animal protein, seaweed and algae as an alternative to fish-derived Omega 3 fatty acids, and precision fermentation to produce varied ingredients.”
Alternative proteins
Proteins come from many varied sources, everything from algae to insects. Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) are the only insect approved for use by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). Use is limited to adult cat and dog food, and salmonid, poultry and swine feed. Crickets are a Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) ingredient by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).
“Centering insect protein in our ingredient profile means Jiminy’s has already saved over 700 million gallons of water despite being a small start-up in scale,” Carlson said. “This is due to one of sustainability’s rules of thumb: the smaller the protein source, the less land and water it consumes. And you can’t get much smaller than an insect.
“We use the entire insect, which means no waste, and the exoskeleton is fiber, which feeds the good bacteria in the gut,” said Anne Carlson of Jiminy’s.
“We use the entire insect, which means no waste, and the exoskeleton is fiber, which feeds the good bacteria in the gut,” she added.
Chicago-based ADM recently partnered with Innovafeed, Paris, to secure exclusive North American distribution of their Hermetia illucens-based protein and oil ingredients for pet nutrition. Innovafeed currently breeds and processes BSFL in Nesle in northern France. The company is expanding to North America in Decatur, Ill.
“These ingredients contain valuable components,” said Fernando Roberti, technical sales manager of pet food at Innovafeed. “Our ingredients are nutritionally balanced and offer great health benefits for pets. Studies have shown that using BSFL protein meal helps with oral health and skin and coat. The presence of antimicrobial peptides, bioactive peptides, chitin (acting as dietary fiber) and lauric acid also benefits the pets.
“Our ingredients have a taste and aroma that pets love. They have great acceptability and digestibility,” Roberti added. “And, through our unique model called industrial symbiosis, we co-locate our plants next to starch processors and use their still-wet byproducts — received through pipelines — to feed our insects. We avoid energy-consuming steps like drying and truck transportation. We also use waste heat captured via a pipeline from an energy partner located across the street to power 60% of our plant.”
Pet food processors may include these sustainability claims in their marketing. Roberti said that Innovafeed’s ingredients emit 80% less carbon emissions than conventional ingredients while having no impact on marine resources or deforestation.
Jiminy’s uses the entire insect in its formulations, which is more sustainable for the environment and nutritious for pets.
|As mentioned, crickets are GRAS. To demonstrate the food safety of crickets, Jiminy’s assembled a dossier on cricket protein for dogs. The digestibility and utility studies were peer reviewed and published, and then the complete dossier was reviewed by a panel of experts, who issued a consensus statement that crickets are a high-quality and safe protein for dogs, according to Carlson. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and AAFCO were involved in process.
Carbon-recycling company LanzaTech Global Inc., Chicago, uses a biorefining platform to produce nutritional protein from carbon dioxide. The company has nearly two decades of experience biorefining carbon-rich feedstocks to produce ethanol as the primary product and protein as a co-product. Leveraging this experience, the company developed a solution using carbon dioxide to produce protein as the primary product. LanzaTech is in the process of completing trials and testing in animal feed and pet food, and is underway with completing FDA’s GRAS certification process.
“By coupling a new microbial production strain with our existing bioreactor technology, and our years of operating experience, we have developed a path to mass produce protein from carbon dioxide,” said Jennifer Holmgren, CEO of LanzaTech Global. “For two years we’ve operated a pilot facility to prepare for commercialization, and in the process, we’ve partnered with leading brands and food testing organizations for rigorous analysis and prototyping of nutrition applications. We have now progressed into the engineering design phase for a half- to 1.5-ton per day facility, expected to be operational in 2026, and have developed a roadmap to commercial-scale production in 2028.”
Producing nature-identical animal proteins — as well as other animal and plant nutrients — through precision fermentation is gaining traction. In precision fermentation, bioengineering techniques are used to program microorganisms by giving them a specific genetic code to produce a compound of interest when fermented under precise conditions. The genetic code is the exact copy of the DNA sequence found in a digitized database on animal or plant DNA sequence; however, it requires no animal or plant involvement. The result is the molecularly identical ingredient made by microorganisms.
ADM Ventures, the corporate venture capital division of ADM, has invested in Bond Pet Foods, Boulder, Colo. Together they will employ precision fermentation technology to create nature-identical chicken and other meat proteins without the animal.
“Such cell-based proteins are another exciting alternative to traditional sources,” said Jennifer Adolphe, pet technical services manager at ADM. “Yeast-based proteins can also be used in pet food and treats to supplement or replace animal proteins.”
A 2024 feeding study conducted by ADM compared a conventional pet food with animal proteins to two flexitarian options that included blends of animal-based, plant-based (pea and soy) and dried yeast proteins alongside a vegan food that contained dried yeast, corn gluten meal and pea protein. Results imply that carefully designed vegan or flexitarian pet foods are viable alternatives for providing adequate nutrition while positively influencing the diversity of gut microflora.
Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) is the only insect approved by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) for use in adult dog and cat food.
|“Like many emerging ingredients, insect- and cell-based proteins are entering the marketplace as more premium offerings,” Adolphe said. “Cost efficiencies are expected to increase along with supply, provided pet food companies also scale up their demand for novel ingredients. Supplier partnerships with companies of all sizes are needed during the ramp-up period toward production volumes that will meet the protein needs of the future. Smaller companies that launch new products with novel proteins and large companies that incorporate emerging ingredients into select products will both support this effort.”
Omaha, Neb.-based Scoular offers a barley protein concentrate, which is a nutrient-dense ingredient made through a patented production process that uses fractionation to naturally concentrate the protein found in whole barley kernels. The result is a clean, environmentally friendly protein source that’s traceable and non-GMO.
Barley, an ancient grain, is sustainable because it contributes to water conservation systems and is grown in areas where it does not contribute to deforestation of rainforest ecosystems. The barley protein concentrate was developed a few years ago to help meet growing demand for plant-based, sustainable ingredients in pet food and aquafeed.
In product formulations, the barley protein concentrate delivers a neutral flavor and natural color with no change in palatability. It also has low phytic acid levels, which improves protein digestibility and utilization, according to Kate Wadman, customer marketing manager at Scoular.
Functional ingredients
As pet owners increasingly prioritize the health and wellbeing of their pets, there’s a growing opportunity for functional ingredients that go beyond basic nutrition. That’s an added perk with BSFL, as it is abundant in natural bioactive compounds.
“In addition to highly digestible essential amino acids, BSFL also delivers lauric acid, a medium chain triglyceride fatty acid that is prevalent in coconut oil; over 50 unique bioactive peptides; and chitin, which acts as a dietary fiber,” Adolphe said.
A study carried out at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, found that Innovafeed’s BSFL protein is a suitable substitute for chicken meal in pet foods, in terms of digestibility, acceptability and supporting the maintenance of a healthy microbiome.
According to Jiminy’s, switching from a chicken diet to a novel protein formulation like Good Grub can help save 99,100 gallons of water per year.
|St. Louis-based MarketPlace works with pet brands across food, treat and supplement categories. Research Manager Jon Copeland said the company is witnessing increased interest across biotics. While pro- and prebiotics have been making gains for years, postbiotics are finally emerging, with increased awareness among pet parents and among product developers as a formulation-friendly option for gut and immune support.
“Microbiome solutions are increasingly popular to help support gastrointestinal, skin and oral environments,” Adolphe said. “Pre-, pro- and postbiotics and other functional ingredients that are backed by clinical studies enable finished products that support key health and wellness claims consumers seek, such as dental and oral health, skin and coat health, joint health and mobility, digestive health and healthy aging.”
Many ingredient suppliers are increasingly turning to aquaculture farming. Seaweed and algae are sources of protein and healthy Omega 3 fatty acids. They are also a source of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. Seaweed, in particular, is an emerging pet food ingredient because of its health benefits.
In August 2024, Scoular and Seadling, a company based on the island of Borneo in Southeast Asia, formed an exclusive agreement to offer North American pet food manufacturers a first-of-its-kind ingredient to improve pet health: fermented dried seaweed powder.
Birdie Scott Padam, head of product for Seadling, said the seaweed powder offers many benefits, including aiding skin, coat, gut and dental health; supporting brain function, bone development and cardiovascular health; and offering essential minerals and vitamins, including vitamin K2 and potassium, which pet diets often lack. Additionally, it provides binding capabilities and manufacturing compatibility, helping manufacturers to create consistent, clean-label products.
Studies have shown that protein meal from black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) has health benefits to pets including improving oral health and skin and coat.
|“Sustainability is the heart of our business,” said Seadling Founder and CEO Simon Davis. “Our mission to elevate seaweed as a sustainable source of next-generation ingredients is inspired by the vision of a vibrant and healthy ocean supporting life on land.”
Fermented dried seaweed is also highly palatable in both mouthfeel and taste, according to Wadman.
“The fermentation process transforms the seaweed fibers into easy-to-digest prebiotic oligosaccharides. It drives the growth of microorganisms that pets need to properly digest food and maintain gut health,” Wadman said. “Dried fermented seaweed is also naturally binding. That’s because it contains a natural carrageenan.”
This form of carrageenan is a thickener, texturizer and chemical compound that acts as a binder, improving pet food texture and quality and reducing waste.
“Some of the more emerging ingredients for today’s market include chondroitin, glucosamine, mushroom and pumpkin powder, tomato pomace and bone broth,” said Kate Wadman of Scoular.
“Some of the more emerging ingredients for today’s market include chondroitin, glucosamine, mushroom and pumpkin powder, tomato pomace and bone broth,” Wadman said. “Bone broth has been one of the most interesting emerging ingredients we’ve seen in the last few years. High in collagen, which is the most abundant protein in the body, and amino acids, it can help strengthen skin, bones, tissues and muscles.”
Copeland added, “We track early-stage ingredients, including algae, ashwagandha and adaptogens, including functional mushrooms like Lion’s Mane. Still, these remain under-the-radar for a majority of pet parents, and will require further awareness and education to gain momentum toward mainstream adoption.”
All novel pet food ingredients come with challenges, such as ensuring rigorous quality control, meeting precise crude protein thresholds, and achieving excellent digestibility and palatability. Consumer understanding and acceptance also must be considered.
“With insect protein, customer challenges revolve around overcoming the ‘ick’ factor and improving the economics of insect-based products,” said Fernando Roberti of Innovafeed.
“With insect protein, customer challenges revolve around overcoming the ‘ick’ factor and improving the economics of insect-based products,” Roberti said. “While the industry’s production capacity is increasing, which will drive down costs, consumer hesitation remains a hurdle. Awareness is key to addressing this.
“The introduction of on-pack co-branding with pet food partners is an important first step in informing customers about the benefits of insect ingredients, which consumer insights have shown to positively impact intent to purchase,” Roberti added. “The next phase will involve launching targeted awareness and aspirational campaigns through social media and public relations to directly address consumer concerns.”
Carlson agreed that the two major challenges are acceptance and awareness.
“Throughout the seven-year history of Jiminy’s, there’s been steady progress on both fronts,” she said. “Millennials and Gen Zers continue to increase their research and investment in pet health along with spending more to address environmental concerns. That demographic is almost 50% of the market and 75% of them are willing to pay more for sustainable products. This should only increase over time.”
Today’s evolving pet foot industry faces an urgency to deliver products that help animals live their best lives. New ingredient technology can assist.
Read more about product development, ingredients and formulation.
